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BBC award for St John Ambulance volunteer

Ashraf Uddin, a teacher and St John Ambulance
volunteer who has dedicated his free time to teaching young people
basic first aid, has been recognised by the BBC for his work.

Outstanding contribution to the community

Throughout his 13 years of volunteering with St John Ambulance,
Ashraf has worked tirelessly to help the charity equip a
generation of young people with life saving skills.

Ashraf was chosen from thousands of applicants as the winner of
this year’s ‘Local Hero’ award at a star studded
ceremony hosted by Lenny Henry and Kirsty Young.

Recognising everday heroism

The BBC 999 Awards were set up to acknowledge
the heroic acts that the officers and volunteers of the emergency
services perform on a daily basis, highlighting individuals and
teams whose actions have exceeded the call of duty to help
save lives and ensure the public's safety.

Ashraf, a volunteer from Rainham and South Hornchurch said ‘I’m
so pleased to have been chosen to win this award. First aid
is so important and I want to encourage young people to
get involved and learn these skills.’

Each year, up to 150,000 people die where first aid could have
given them a chance to live. St John Ambulance believes that nobody
should die because they needed first aid and didn’t get it.

Sue Killen, Chief Executive of St John Ambulance said ‘We’re
incredibly proud of Ashraf. His commitment to passing on his first
aid knowledge to young people is admirable. We hope this inspires
many more people to become the difference between a life lost and a
life saved.’